Method of treating razor blade cutting edges

ABSTRACT

Methods treating razors blade cutting edges having an adherent polyfluorocarbon coated thereon are described. The coated razor blade edges are treated with a solvent, which partially removes the coating from the razor blade edge. Addition of an antioxidant to the solvent improves the effectiveness of the treatment.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to razor blades, and more particularly to methodsof treating razor blades.

BACKGROUND

Razor blades are treated with a coating such as polytetrafluoroethylene(PTFE), sometimes referred to as “telomer,” in order to reduce thecutting force required to use the razor blade. However, in manyinstances, the coating is applied too thick for optimal shaving comfort,especially during the first shave. The thick coating on the blade edgeis pushed back during shaving, resulting in increased shave performanceafter the first shave. Accordingly, efforts have been directed towardsreliably and reproducibly thinning the blade coating to simulate theeffects of the “pushed back” coating.

In some instances, a portion of the coating is selectively removed usinga solvent to provide a thin layer, which can improve the characteristicsof the razor especially on the first shave. These methods are disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 5,985,459 to Kwiecien et al.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to razor blade cutting edges that exhibitan improvement in the “first shave” cut. As discussed above, one methodof thinning the blade coating is to use a solvent to remove a portion ofthe coating, leaving a thin uniform layer on the blade edge. Theinventor has discovered that the inclusion of an antioxidant in thesolvent solution provides improved thinning, as the antioxidant helpsimprove the stability of the solvent, which provides consistent thinningof the blade coating over the treatment of a large number of batches ofblade edges.

In one aspect, the invention features a method of treating apolyfluorocarbon coated razor blade. The method includes contacting apolyfluorocarbon coated razor blade with a solution of a solvent and anantioxidant, thereby partially removing the polyfluorocarbon coatingfrom the razor blade.

In some instances, the polyfluorocarbon includespolytetrafluoroethylene.

In some instances, the antioxidant includes a phenol moiety, for examplethe phenol moiety of formula I

The antioxidant can include an organophosphorous moiety, for example,the organophosphorous moiety of formula II

The antioxidant can include a lactone and/or a hydroxylamine. Theconcentration of antioxidant in the solvent can be less than about 0.1%(e.g., less than about 0.05% or less than about 0.01%). The antioxidantcan be stable at a temperature greater than or equal to the boilingpoint of the solvent.

In some instances, the solvent includes at least one of aperfluoroalkane, perfluorocycloalkane, perfluoroaromatic or an oligomerthereof (e.g., dodecafluorocyclohexane, octafluoronapthalene,perfluorotetracosane, perfluorotetradecahydrophenanthrene, isomers ofperfluoroperhydrobenzylnaphthalene, erfluorotetradecahydrophenanthrene,high-boiling oligomeric byproduct in the manufacture ofperfluorotetradecahydrophenanthrene, or perfluoropolyethers). In someinstances, the solvent includes perfluoroperhydrophenanthrene oligomerhaving the general formula C₁₄F₂₃(C₁₄F₂₂)_(n)C₁₄F₂₃ wherein n is 0, 1,or 2, or perfluorotetradecahydrophenanthrene. In some instances, solventincludes a plurality of antioxidants.

In some instances, the method also includes removing the solventsubsequent to contact with the razor blade. The solvent can be removed,for example, by dipping the blade in a wash solution. The temperature ofthe wash solution can be near the boiling point of the wash solution. Insome instances, the wash solution includesperfluoro(2-n-butylhydrofuran). In some instances, the boiling point ofthe solvent is greater than the dissolution temperature for thepolyfluorocarbon in the solvent. For example, the razor blade can betreated with solvent at a temperature below the boiling point of thesolvent but greater than or equal to the dissolution temperature for thepolyfluorocarbon in the solvent. Alternatively, the razor blade can betreated with solvent at a temperature above the boiling point of thesolvent and greater than or equal to the dissolution temperature for thepolyfluorocarbon in the solvent.

In some instances, the razor blade is coated with a polyfluorocarbon byapplying a dispersion of the polyfluorocarbon onto the razor blade andsubsequently heating the dispersion to a temperature sufficient toadhere the polyfluorocarbon to the razor blade. The dispersion can beapplied onto the razor blade, for example, by spraying the dispersiononto the razor blade or by dipping the razor blade into the dispersion.

In some instances, the razor blade includes a cutting edge and thecutting edge is coated with a polyfluorocarbon.

In some instances, the method includes filtering the solution.

In some instance, the method includes contacting the polyfluorocarboncoated razor blade with a plurality of antioxidants. The antioxidantscan include, for example, a phenyl containing moiety and anorganophosphorous containing moiety. Examples of such antioxidantsinclude the antioxidants of formulas I and II

In some instances, the antioxidants of formula I and formula II arepresent in the ratio of 1/2.

In some instances, the temperature of the solution is between about 200and 400° C. (e.g., between about 250 and about 350° C., between about260 and about 300° C., or about 280° C.

In some instances, the solution is subjected to a pressure of betweenabout 30 and 120 psi (e.g., between about 40 and 60 psi).

In another aspect, the invention features a method of treating apolyfluorocarbon coated razor blade that includes contacting apolyfluorocarbon coated razor blade with a solution of aperfluoroperhydrophenanthrene and a 1/2 ratio of the compounds offormula I and formula II

The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth inthe accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features andadvantages of the invention will be apparent from the description anddrawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a photomicrograph of a polyfluorocarbon treated razor bladeedge prior to treatment with an antioxidant containing solvent.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are photomicrographs of the polyfluorocarbon treated razorblade edge after treatment with an antioxidant containing solvent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Methods of coating razor blade edges with polyfluorocarbons are known inthe art and are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,263,256 toTrankiem. However, these methods generally produce a blade having arelatively thick initial coating of polymer. (See FIG. 1.) This canresult in disproportionately high cutting force during the first shave.One method for improving the first shave characteristics is to thin thepolymer coating, for example using a solvent to remove a substantialportion of the coating. As discussed above, this method is disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 5,985,459, the complete disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

The inventor has discovered that the addition of an antioxidant to thesolvent improves the reproducibility of these methods of thinning thepolyfluorocarbon coating. The lubricity of the telomer coating depends,in part, on the molecular weight of the polymer, so it is desirable touse different molecular weights depending on the desired lubricity for aparticular application (e.g., a men's razor blade versus a woman's razorblade). Additionlly, the lubricity of the telomer coating can beaffected by the hard coating of the razor blade. Addition of theantioxidant improves the reproducibility of the processing conditionsregardless of the molecular weight of the telomer and the hard coatingof the razor blade.

Methods of Treating a Coated Blade:

A blade coated with a polyfluorocarbon is treated with a suitablesolvent and an antioxidant (or a plurality of antioxidants) to removeexcess polyfluorocarbon from the blade edge, thus providing a thinpolyfluorocarbon layer. (See FIGS. 2 and 3.) The blade is coated andsolvent treated as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,985,459. Suitablesolvents and process parameters will be discussed in detail below.

The antioxidant can include a phenolic stabilizer, such as in IrganoxB-215 (Supplier Ciba SpecialChem). Phenolic antioxidants are excellenthydrogen donors and are used in the industry to stabilize polymers. Forexamples, ROO* radicals are deactivated by hindered phenol via thefollowing reaction:

The phenoxy radical generated is very stable due to its ability to adoptnumerous mesomeric forms. Examples of phenolic antioxidants are providedin Table 1 below: TABLE 1 Phenolic Antioxidants 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

Alternatively or in addition to including a phenolic moiety, theantioxidant can include an organophosphorous compound. These compoundsare useful in the decomposition of hydroperoxide and prevent the splitof hydroperoxides into extremely reactive alkoxy and hydroxy radicals.Some examples of organophosphorous antioxidant compounds include thoselisted in Table 2 below. TABLE 2 Organophosphorous antioxidant compounds20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

Lactones and hydroxylamine compounds can also be used as antioxidants.These compounds are particularly useful in scavenging alkyl radicals,thus inhibiting the autooxidation cycle. Under oxygen-deficientconditions alkyl radical scavengers contribute significantly to thestabilization of the polymer. In many instances lactone antioxidants areused in combination with phenolic antioxidants and phosphiteantioxidants, thus providing high performance even at lowconcentrations. Some examples of lactone and hydroxylamine antioxidantsinclude substituted benzofuranone and those shown in Table 3 below.TABLE 3 Benzofuranone and hydroxylamine antioxidants 31

32

Generally the antioxidant is added to the solvent solution in an amountof less than about 1.0% by weight (e.g., less than about 0.5%, 0.4%,0.3%, 0.2%, 0.1%, 0.05%, 0.04%, 0.03%, 0.02%, 0.01% or 0.005%).

The antioxidant is added to a solvent to provide an antioxidant/solventsolution. The solution is then generally filtered to remove largeparticles of antioxidant material, thus reducing the likelihood ofdamage to the razor blade edges that could be caused by large particlesduring stirring. In general, a coarse filter is used, filteringparticles of about 30 microns in size. In some instances, the solutionis flushed with a non-reactive gas such-as argon or nitrogen gas priorto the addition of the coated razor blades into the solution.

In instances where the reaction is performed under inert atmosphericconditions the antioxidant can be added upon completion of thetreatment, for example when the solvent solution is exposed to air.

The razor blades are then placed into the solution and stirred, thusremoving a portion of the polyfluorocarbon coating.

The temperature and pressure of the treating conditions vary dependingon the razor blade coating, the solvent, and the antioxidant. In someinstances, the treatment is done at an elevated temperature. In someinstance, the temperature is less than the boiling point of the solventbut higher than the dissolution temperature of the polyfluorocarbon. Forexample, the temperature can be above about 100° C., above about 200°C., or above about 300° C. Generally the reaction temperature is belowabout 500° C., below about 400° C., or below about 300° C. In instanceswhere the temperature is below the boiling point of the solvent, thereaction conditions generally include atmospheric pressure.

In some instances, the temperature is at or above the boiling point ofthe solvent. In instances where the temperature is at or above theboiling point of the solvent, elevated pressure is generally used.

The process of solvent treating the polyfluorocarbon coated blade edgeis carried out at the temperature required to dissolve the polymer, i.e.within the dissolution temperature range as defined above. In someinstances, it is desirable to use increased pressure to reduce solventloss. In these instances, the treatment of the razor blades is performedat increased pressures (e.g., from about 40 psi to about 120 psi)

In general, the razors are treated in the solvent solution for less thanabout 30 minutes, for example, less than 25 minutes, or less than 20minutes. In general, the razors are treated for more than about 1second, for example more than about 5 seconds, 10, seconds, 30 seconds,1 minute, 2 minutes, 5 minutes, about 10 minutes, or about 15 minutes.The reaction times are dependent on a variety of factors including butnot limited to the solvent, temperature, pressure, and number of blades.

Generally, antioxidant/solvent combinations are chosen where theantioxidant is stable at either the boiling point of the solvent or thedissolution temperature of the polymer coating in the solvent. Theboiling point of the solvent and dissolution temperature of the polymercoating in the solvent can change with pressure. Accordingly, theability to use increased pressure is also considered when choosing anantioxidant/solvent combination.

Examples of desirable solvent properties are provided below:

(1) Polyfluorocarbon-Solvency

Melting point depression is used to identify solvency. Polymer meltingpoints and melting depressions in solvents are measured in a SeikoInstrument DSC-220 Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC), at a heatingrate of 10° C./min in nitrogen. The melting point is the minimum peak ofthe melting endotherm. Melting depression studies use approximately 5 mgof PTFE/solvent in hermetic aluminum or stainless steel pans or glassampoules. Liquids which exhibit a PTFE melting point depression areconsidered to be solvents. The melting point depression establishes thelower range of dissolution temperatures.

(2) Solvent Compatibility at the Dissolution Temperature of thePolyfluorocarbon

In some instances, the solvent is a liquid at the dissolutiontemperature. In other words, the solvent has a boiling point above theprocessing temperature and a melting point below the dissolutiontemperature. Of course, these physical properties can be manipulated bychanging the processing pressures. While increased pressures are usefuland can be used in manufacturing processes, using a solvent that is aliquid at dissolution temperature at ambient pressure eliminates theneed to use high pressure equipment, and therefore can, in someinstances, reduce the processing costs of the procedure. In cases wherehigher pressure is used, the solvent generally has a criticaltemperature above the processing temperature.

(3) Low Polarity

Molecules with low or, most preferably, no polar functionality are mostcommonly used in the disclosed methods. These molecules, for example,include nonpolar aliphatic, cyclic, or aromatic perfluorocarbons;however, low molecular weight (LMW), fluorine-end-capped homopolymers ofhexafluoropropylene epoxide also can be employed.

The solvent, antioxidant, and polymer should be stable at the processingtemperature. Agitation will increase the rate of dissolution of thepolymer along the blade edge. Two other factors influence the rate ofdissolution: (1) higher interfacial surface area between the polymer andsolvent gives faster rates, and (2) higher polymer molecular weight andhigher polymer concentrations give slower rates of dissolution. The timerequired for dissolution will vary with the particular polymer andsolvent chosen, as well as with the other factors discussed aboveincluding antioxidant. Specific examples of the solvent treatment appearin the examples.

Examples of solvents include perfluoroalkanes, perfluorocycloalkanes,perfluoro aromatic compounds and oligomers thereof. Manyperfluoropolyethers (PFPE) work in some cases. As used herein,“perfluorocycloalkanes” refers to saturated cyclic compounds, which maycontain fused or unfused rings. In addition, the perfluorinatedcycloalkane may be substituted by perfluoroalkyl and perfluoroalkylenegroups. By “perfluoroalkyl group” we mean a saturated branched or linearcarbon chain.

Saturated perfluorocarbons with aliphatic ring structures and highcritical temperatures generally provide solubility of PTFE at the lowesttemperatures and pressures. Perfluorinated solvents can be obtained, forexample, from PCR, Inc., of Gainesville, Fla. Dodecafluorocyclohexane(C₆F₁₂), octafluoronaphthalene (C₁₀F₈), and perfluorotetracosane(n-C₂₄F₅₀) may be obtained from the Aldrich Chemical Co.Perfluorotetradecahydrophenanthrene (C₁₄F₂₄), commonly calledperfluoroperhydrophenanthrene, may be obtained from F2 Chemicals,Preston Lancashire, England under the tradename Flutec PP11. A mixtureof isomers of perfluoroperhydrobenzylnaphthalene (Cl₇F₃₀), with thetradename Flutec PP25, may be obtained from F2 Chemicals, PrestonLancashire, England. A high-boiling oligomeric byproduct in themanufacture of Flutec PP11 (C₁₄F₂₃(C₁₄F₂₂)_(n)C₁₄F₁₂ where n=0,1 and 2)may be also obtained from DuPont, which is a gross mixture ofperfluorocarbons. The approximate boiling range of the components is280-400° C. When dissolving MP1100, MP1600, LW1200 or Vydax brand PTFEoff blade edges, temperatures between 270-340° C. for about 10-200seconds are generally used.

As used herein, perfluoropolyethers (PFPE) refer to perfluorinatedcompounds containing the —(CF₂—CFR—O—)_(n) linkage where R═F, CF₃. Thesecompounds are sometimes called perfluoroalkylether (PFAE) orperfluoropolyalkylether (PFPAE). Preferably, the polymer chain iscompletely saturated and contains only the elements carbon, oxygen, andfluorine; hydrogen is not present.

The effectiveness of a thinning process can be determined, for example,using a wool felt cutter test, which measures the cutter forces of theblade by measuring the force required by each blade to cut through awool felt. The cutter forces of a blade can change over time, forexample as the blade wears or as the coating on the blade is removed.Accordingly, the blade is run through the wool felt cutter 500 times andthe force of each cut is measured on a recorder.

In some instances, after a blade has been solvent treated, the blade issubjected to further processing to remove any excess solvent. This canbe done by dipping the blade edge into a wash solution for the solvent.

Generally the blades are washed at a temperature near the boiling pointof the wash solution. Fluorinert FC-75 brand perfluoro(2-n-butylhydrofuran) solvent, manufactured by 3M, and HFC-43 brand1,1,1,2,3,4,4,5,5,5,-decafluoropentane, manufactured by DuPont, are bothuseful wash solutions.

Generally the wash solution is easily separable from the solvent toallow the wash solution to be reused. Removing dissolvedpolyfluorocarbon (e.g., PTFE) from the solvent allows the solvent and/orthe PTFE to be reused. The separation of the polyfluorocarbon and thesolvent can be accomplished by distillation or other methods known tothose of skill in the art.

All percentages and ratios described herein are on a weight basis unlessotherwise indicated.

As used herein the term “razor blade cutting edge” includes the cuttingpoint and facets of the blade. Applicant recognizes that the entireblade could be coated in the manner described herein; however; anenveloping coat of the type is not believed to be essential to thepresent invention. Razor blades according to the present inventioninclude all types known in the art. For example, stainless steel bladesare commonly used. Many other commercial razor blades also include achromium/platinum interlayer between the steel blade and the polymer.This type of interlayer is sputtered onto the blade edge surface priorto polymer coating. Furthermore, the blade material can be coated with aDiamond Like Carbon (DLC) coating as described in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,142,785 and 5,232,568 prior to polymer coating.

Coating the Blade

A polyfluorocarbon-coated blade edge can be prepared by any processknown in the art. For example, the blade edge can be coated with apolyfluorocarbon dispersion. The coated blade is then heated to driveoff the dispersing media and sinter the polyfluorocarbon onto the bladeedge.

Examples of polyfluorocarbons include MP1100, MP1200, MP1600, and LW1200brand polytetrafluoroethylene powders manufactured by DuPont.

Polyfluorocarbon dispersions generally include from 0.05 to 5% (wt)polyfluorocarbon, preferably from 0.7 to 1.2% (wt), dispersed in adispersant media. The polymer can be introduced into the flow stream ormixed directly into an agitated reservoir and then homogenized. Wheninjected into the flow stream, a static mixer downstream is generallyused.

Dispersing medium generally includes one or more of a fluorocarbon (e.g.Freon brand from DuPont), water, a volatile organic compounds (e.g.isopropyl alcohol), or a supercritical CO₂.

The dispersion can be applied to the cutting edge in any suitablemanner, as for example, by dipping or spraying the dispersion onto theblade edge. Where nebulization is used, an electrostatic field can beemployed in conjunction with the nebulizer in order to increase theefficiency of deposition. The coating is generally heated uponapplication to provide improved adhesion.

EXAMPLES Example 1

Approximately 1500 blades coated with LW-1200 were stacked at an end ofa modified stirring shaft of a 350 ml Parr 4560 Mini-reactor (thewasher). The washer was then filled with ⅔ of Flutec PP11 solvent plusIRGANOX B-215 (0.01%) antioxidant. Argon was flushed through a syringefor 5 minutes at the flow rate of 22 scfh. The entire apparatus wasclosed and Argon was flushed via the gas outlet of the bomb foradditional 5 minutes. The washer was then sealed and heated until itreached 250° C. The stirring shaft was started and rotated at 80 rev/minuntil the temperature reached 273° C. The temperature was thenmaintained at 273° C. for about 90 seconds. At this time, pressure inthe chamber reached 40-60 psi. Heating was stopped and air cooling wasintroduced to cool down the washer. Stirring was then stopped when thetemperature reached 260° C. Blades were removed when tempeature wasaround 60° C.

Example 2

A solution of antioxidant (IRGANOX B-215) and solvent (FLUTEC PP11) wasadded to a pressure vessel (filling about half full). The solution wasthen flushed with either Nitrogen for about 5 minutes. After thesolution was flushed, a spindle of PTFE-coated razor blades was insertedinto the pressure vessel, submerging the razor blades in theantioxidant/solvent solution. The solution was again flushed withNitrogen or Argon for about 3 minutes. The pressure vessel was thensealed, and the pressure was increased to about 40 psi. The temperatureof the solvent was increased to about 280° C. while stirring the spindleof coated razor blades. The blades were stirred for less than about 2minutes. Upon completion, the temperature in the reaction vessel wascooled and the pressure subsequently released. In some instances, theblades were further subjected to a wash step to remove any remainingsolvent.

Table 4 below depicts the cutter forces of three razor blades for thefirst cut, the 5^(th) cut, and the 500^(th) cut. The razor blades aredescribed using three different hard coating materials A, B, and C. Ascan be seen, the razor blades treated with the Flutec™ solvent and theantioxidant IRGANOX B-215 have more consistent first and fifth cutterforces than the razor blades treated with Flutec™ solvent alone.Moreover, consistently lower L₅₀₀ values were observed on all coatingswhen the antioxidant was added, making the use of the Flutec™ solventwith antioxidant more reproducible than the use of Flutec™ solventalone. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that theantioxidant improves the stability of the solvent, which improves thereproducibility of the blade thinning. Accordingly, the use ofantioxidant provides an improved manufacturing method as the combinationallows greater consistency and reproducibility among the various razorblades. TABLE 4 Comparison of Razor Blades Treated With Flutec ™ solventWith and Without Antioxidant Flutec with Antioxidant improves the cutterforces of blades having various coatings Flutec ™ solvent Flutec ™solvent without antioxidant with antioxidant* Hard Coating 1^(st) CutL_(5, lb) **L_(500, lb) 1^(st) Cut L_(5, lb) L_(500, lb) A 1.51 1.371.92 1.02 1.08 1.21 B 1.1 1.08 1.64 1.06 1.08 1.42 C 0.97 0.95 1.75 1.061.07 1.42*Irganox B-215 antioxidant**L_(500, lb) is an average of cutter forces between the 500^(th) and505^(th) cut.

A number of embodiments of the invention have been described.Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the followingclaims.

1. A method of treating a polyfluorocarbon coated razor blade,comprising: contacting a polyfluorocarbon coated razor blade with asolution of a solvent and an antioxidant, thereby partially removing thepolyfluorocarbon coating from the razor blade.
 2. The method of claim 1wherein the polyfluorocarbon comprises polytetrafluoroethylene.
 3. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the antioxidant comprises a phenol moiety. 4.The method of claim 3 wherein the phenol moiety comprises a compound offormula I


5. The method of claim 1 wherein the antioxidant comprises anorganophosphorous moiety.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein theorganophosphorous moiety comprises a compound of formula II


7. The method of claim 1 wherein the antioxidant comprises a lactone, ahydroxylamine, or a combination thereof.
 8. The method of claim 1wherein the concentration of antioxidant in the solvent is less thanabout 0.1%.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the concentration ofantioxidant in the solvent is less than about 0.05%.
 10. The method ofclaim 9 wherein the concentration of antioxidant in the solvent is lessthan about 0.01%.
 11. The method of claim 1 wherein the antioxidant isstable at a temperature greater than or equal to the boiling point ofthe solvent.
 12. The method of claim 1 wherein the solvent comprises atleast one of a perfluoroalkane, perfluorocycloalkane, perfluoroaromaticor an oligomer thereof.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein the solventcomprises at least one of dodecafluorocyclohexane, octafluoronapthalene,perfluorotetracosane, perfluorotetradecahydrophenanthrene, isomers ofperfluoroperhydrobenzylnaphthalene, erfluorotetradecahydrophenanthrene,high-boiling oligomeric byproduct in the manufacture ofperfluorotetradecahydrophenanthrene, or perfluoropolyethers.
 14. Themethod of claim 13 wherein the solvent comprises aperfluoroperhydrophenanthrene oligomer having the general formulaC₁₄F₂₃(C₁₄F₂₂)_(n)C₁₄F₂₃ wherein n is 0, 1, or
 2. 15. The method ofclaim 13 wherein the solvent comprisesperfluorotetradecahydrophenanthrene.
 16. The method of claim 14 whereinthe solvent further comprises a plurality of antioxidants.
 17. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising removing the solvent subsequent tocontact with the razor blade.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein thesolvent is removed by dipping the blade in a wash solution.
 19. Themethod of claim 17 wherein, wherein the temperature of the wash solutionis near the boiling point of the wash solution.
 20. The method of claim17 wherein the wash solution comprises perfluoro(2-n-butylhydrofuran).21. The method of claim 1 wherein the boiling point of the solvent isgreater than the dissolution temperature for the polyfluorocarbon in thesolvent.
 22. The method of claim 21 wherein the razor blade is treatedwith solvent at a temperature below the boiling point of the solvent butgreater than or equal to the dissolution temperature for thepolyfluorocarbon in the solvent.
 23. The method of claim 21 wherein therazor blade is treated with solvent at a temperature above the boilingpoint of the solvent and greater than or equal to the dissolutiontemperature for the polyfluorocarbon in the solvent.
 24. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the razor blade is coated with a polyfluorocarbon byapplying a dispersion of the polyfluorocarbon onto the razor blade andsubsequently heating the dispersion to a temperature sufficient toadhere the polyfluorocarbon to the razor blade.
 25. The method of claim24, wherein the dispersion is applied onto the razor blade by sprayingthe dispersion onto the razor blade.
 26. The method of claim 24, whereinthe dispersion is applied onto the razor blade by dipping the razorblade into the dispersion.
 27. The method of claim 1, wherein razorblade comprises a cutting edge and the cutting edge is coated with apolyfluorocarbon.
 28. The method of claim 1 further comprising filteringthe solution.
 29. The method of claim 1 comprising contacting thepolyfluorocarbon coated razor blade with a plurality of antioxidants.30. The method of claim 29 wherein the antioxidants comprise a phenylmoiety and an organophosphorous moiety.
 31. The method of claim 30wherein the antioxidants comprise


32. The method of claim 31 wherein the ratio of formula I/formula II is1/2.
 33. The method of claim 1 wherein the temperature of the solutionis between about 200 and 400° C.
 34. The method of claim 33 wherein thetemperature of the solution is between about 250 and about 350° C. 35.The method of claim 33 wherein the temperature of the solution isbetween about 260 and about 300° C.
 36. The method of claim 33 whereinthe temperature of the solution is about 280° C.
 37. The method of claim1 wherein the solution is subjected to a pressure of between about 30and 120 psi.
 38. The method of claim 37 wherein the solution issubjected to a pressure of between about 40 and 60 psi.
 39. A method oftreating a polyfluorocarbon coated razor blade, comprising: contacting apolyfluorocarbon coated razor blade with a solution of aperfluoroperhydrophenanthrene and a 1/2 ratio of the compounds offormula I and formula II